You will note that the local print newspaper did a report on Jody’s comments at the end of Wednesday’s COTW meeting. Councilor Rhoads has given me a copy of his comments which I am printing in their entirety.
Jody’s comments:
It’s been ten years since I retired. It wasn’t long after that I started attending council and committee meetings.
Since then, I have pretty much gotten to know “who’s who” and “what’s what”. I now have some observations and opinions, and am appalled at some of the “grown up” behavior in this town.
- I have heard of those who say they are the most powerful person in town.
- I have seen first hand and heard of those who name call frequently using the term “idiot”
- I have come across those who try to discredit others for their efforts and accomplishments.
- A few, just plain think and act like they run the town.
- I have seen personal agenda’s that are not for the good of the community.
- And I have witnessed some, who when they don’t get their way, pack up and leave.
- And those who send hateful, anonymous letters.
For all the above behavior I list as:
- irresponsible
- childish
- insulting
- unprofessional
- inappropriate
- disrespectful
- embarrassing
- disgusting
- unproductive
Until this type of behavior disappears, our community will continue to stagnate. I’m seeing a big problem concerning the paid advertisements in our local newspaper by The Citizens for Responsible Government. These articles have been attacking, at one time or another, the school district, the administration, the school board, school board members, the Task Force, Pottstown Borough, past Economic Development Directors, Borough Council and individual Councilors.
These ads are nothing more than someone’s desperate attempt to use the print media as part of a strategy to promote a political campaign and to buy someone’s victory in the election process.
What is really strange and upsetting is our local newspaper has been known to refuse any type of political comments until just before an election. It appears to me that advertisements are being use for political reasons all year-long. The individual behind this group always asks for transparency and complete factual information, but refuses to practice what is preached.
There is a common denominator between Citizens for Responsible Government and Trees Inc., that being Thomas Hylton – Secretary/Treasurer. The Trees Inc. website is www.pottstowntrees.org. There is conflicting information on this website.
The home page clearly states “Today, thanks to Trees Inc., Pottstown has among the best maintained street trees in Pennsylvaniaat no cost to the taxpayer. Let me repeat, at no cost to the taxpayer. We’ve heard this many times. Then searching the financial page we see the following:
Councilor Rhoads had a handout of the budget information from the Trees Inc. website which he distributed…it was relating to the years Pottstown Borough gave money to Trees Inc.
Next comes requests for information.
I submitted the following emails to Thomas Hylton regarding Trees Inc. Councilor Rhoads had a handout with this information. Councilor Rhoads sent eight emails to Thomas Hylton, requesting various information, regarding Trees Inc. Councilor Rhoads never received a response. The emails were sent between February 24, 2010 and April 9, 2010.
I have also received a request for information to Thomas Hylton from another individual who was also refused. A Right To Know request was sent to Mr. Hylton on 3/10/2010 regarding the May 2009 audit done on Trees Inc. by Rabowski & Company. A follow-up request was sent on March 23, 2010. No response was received.
Here again, where is his (Mr. Hylton’s) transparency?
There’s some things out of control and we better start coming to grips.
END
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